Hockey: Ladies claim fifth place in Euro finals

Feb 27 2008 by Steve Jones, South Wales Echo

HOWARDIAN Ladies squad claimed an excellent fifth place in the European Indoor Hockey Finals in Ankara, Turkey.

And Howardian were very close to a better final placing.

They claimed the best result of all teams against the eventual gold medallists, the aptly-named Royal Victory HC from Belgium, before losing 7-5.

They only lost to the silver and bronze-placed teams (from Sweden and Serbia) 4-3, both opponents converting after-time penalty corners to win the games.

Howardian were 3-1 up against the Serbs who needed to win for third place.

In another very tight game, Howards were beaten by the host team from Turkey, again 4-3.

Howards had comfortable victories 3-1 and 6-2 against the Georgian and Moldovan representatives who are relegated from this division.

Fifth place ensures that Howardian will compete in the same division in 2009 where they will once again be Wales’ representatives in this competition having won the Welsh Cup last month.

Howardian and Welsh Hockey can be pleased that they achieved the best results against the top three teams in the tournament and that there wasn’t much to choose between the top five teams. Howardian’s effort was rewarded by winning the Fair Play Trophy.